The Paradigms of Cultural Syncretism - Assignment Example

Cultural Syncretism Cultural Syncretism Syncretism essentially refers to the combination of diverse, and sometimes contradictory, notions, particularly with regard to joining practices inherent in various schools of thought. Syncretism incorporates the merger, as well as analogizing of various formerly discrete traditions, particularly in the mythology and theological aspects of religion (Bentley, 1993). This, therefore, attains an affirmation of fundamental harmony and allows for the existence of an all-encompassing approach to other faiths and cultures. In addition to impacting aspects of religion such as mythology and theology, syncretism also occurs in various expressions of culture, arts and politics. Explicit forms of syncretism are viable indicators of cultural acceptance of alien or former traditions. However, syncretism allows for the other culture to survive or infiltrate the former culture without sanctioned syncresis. Introduction The paradigms of syncretism have facilitated the emergence of cultural compromise. This has, in turn, contributed rather significantly to the establishment of values, customs and beliefs with diverse cultural bearings. As a consequence, the expansive traditions of the world have continually been able to gain popular backing in foreign regions. In essence, syncretism often describes the implication of the large-scale imposition of alien cultures, religions or sets of practices over other traditions, which are already in existent (Bentley, 1993). This paper will consider various aspects of syncretism, taking into consideration how syncretism affects different elements of culture. Question 1 Europe served as the hub of all goings-on in the Americas, India, China and Africa. They integrated their cultures in order to acquire better outcomes. By going outside their societal route, Europeans invaded their own cultures (Claus & Mills, 2003). In the 19th century, Europeans dominated the global, social environment and introduced Christianity and theories to realize self-serving notions. However, in China, the hosts controlled the Europeans. Europeans traded through the Indian Ocean, thereby harming Japan, which had extensive trade networks throughout Asia, threatening India’s position. The Americas and Africa become integrated into the new concept of slavery that resulted in massive cultural change, creating hatred, diversity and animosity among civilizations. Many legacies around today are as a consequence of early interactions between Africans and Americas. Due to these interactions, the Americans adopted many African traditions and cultures such as food, music and architecture. These legacies significantly influenced Native American communities and the entire American society (Stewart & Rosalind, 1994). The encounters between Africans and Americans were largely negative, and so were those between China, India and Westerners. Africans and Native Americans encounters with Westerners resulted in cultural changes. In India and China, natives were not eager for such changes because they did not trust one another. Question 2 Cultural syncretism played a vital role in the negotiation of hegemonies and identities in factors such as religious dissemination, migration, trade, conquest and intermarriages. Outcomes were different in the four societies since they had diverse ways of life that existed for a number of generations. For instance, China and India’s weapons development system was quite unique due to cultural dissimilarities, thus outcomes regarding acceptable weapon creation also differed significantly (Claus & Mills, 2003). Syncretism failed in India and China since both societies believed that their ways of life needed to be maintained, resulting in minimal cultural changes. Unlike African and American societies, the Indian and Chinese societies did not willingly adopt European religion such as Christianity. Additionally modes of conversion also realized different outcomes since all civilizations had dissimilar methods, which were formerly effective, but proved ineffective in light of changes in variables produced by mergers among the four civilizations. Question 3 The primary focus of cultural syncretism, which occurred in the Americas, African, China and India, aimed at the creation of various legacies (Claus & Mills, 2003). These included changes in discipline, work culture, political culture and religion. The expansion of Europeans into other regions during exploratory endeavors gave them access to vast arrays of cultures. During these interactions, Europeans continually introduced elements of religion, customs, technology, medicine and weapons into various cultures. These elements impacted significantly on existing cultures. However, the inclusion of military force into the syncretism becomes extremely one sided. While a predominant segment of African culture derived substantially from European religion, language, customs and traditions, only a minimal number of African cultures and traditions were incorporated into European culture (Stewart & Rosalind, 1994). Africans, as well as other groups that were affected by European syncretism, benefited immensely from technological aspects of this cultural exchange. These cultures benefited from the introduction of immensely advanced agriculture, medicine and weapons (Sayre, 2013). In the Americas, for instance, Europeans made substantive effects on the culture. The technology and methodology made it exceptionally easy for Europeans to adapt different aspects of their culture to America natives. This is because Americans were more acceptant towards the changes proposed by the Europeans. On the other hand, the Chinese were not as largely influenced by the Europeans since they resisted the cultural changed proposed by outsiders. This is primarily because the Chinese culture was more advanced and older in terms of technology than the west (Stewart & Rosalind, 1994). In essence, Europeans played a critical role in the advancement of American, African, Indian and Chinese cultures. Question 4 If cultural syncretism had not taken place in the Americas, the nation’s political and religious systems existent today would have been quite different. Migratory pressures of cultural syncretism in the Americas resulted in the adoption of various learned behaviors such as new political systems and religious beliefs. Europeans significantly influenced various American practices such as ways of exerting political control (Sayre, 2013). Conversion, in the Americas, took place primarily through voluntary association, coexistence and cooperation, especially during slave trade, which involved the sale of Africans to American and European slave masters. Americans engaged in this trade for the sake of acquiring social and economic advantages as the primary incentives. This included political incentives such as the acquisition of military artillery and slave and trade routes (Greenfield, 2001). Modern American culture would also be different if syncretism had not occurred. Lack of syncretism would have resulted in the continuity of pagan rituals, which were replaced by the integration of Christianity into the modern American society (Stewart & Rosalind, 1994). Moreover, the modern American society would also be subject to significant tension and pull since people of diverse backgrounds would be unable to live together in harmony. Issues such as racism would be even more rampant in the society if syncretism had not occurred in the Americas (Greenfield, 2001). In addition, many issues such as language, cultural politics and religious would have been affected. For instance, political syncretism would have taken place again to deter African Americans from being able to vote and visit the same places as Caucasians. Therefore, slavery would still exist in the American society if cultural syncretism had not occurred. Without cultural syncretism, the American society would not have as much music diversity as it does today. Question 5 Syncretism that occurred in China and India resulted in the creation of smaller communities that were deeply religious and were staunchly against trade and modernization. China was not typically a religious society. Therefore, it would not have been entirely feasible for cultural syncretism for China, primarily on account of the fact that the nation is not predominantly religious. China would have become extremely well known and may also have experienced a number of issues compared to societies that were extremely religious. China presently boosts of a number of religions, which include, among others, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, Confucianism and Islam (Stewart & Rosalind, 1994). If cultural syncretism had failed to take root in the initial encounters in India and China, Chinese nationals would not presently be able to make as much money as they do presently. China’s present position in the global economic front is primarily as a consequence of cultural syncretism that took place many years ago. Trade and modernization are absolute necessities for China since trade assists the nation expands its economic and social development. This creates dramatic increases in the volume of trade in China, making the country one of the richest in the world. Encounters of cultural syncretism have provided China’s access to an international market in which it sells its products. For instance, most products sold in the US are from China. Such trade interactions would have been impossible without the incidence of cultural syncretism. On the other hand, religion has always been of critical importance in India. Most Indians are affiliated to either Buddhism or Hinduism with 82% of the population conforming to Hinduism. Religion is extremely vital to Indians to the extent that it dictates all aspects of the lives of Indian people (Claus & Mills, 2003). Because cultural syncretism entailed the motivation of intense religiosity in India, Indian culture was not significantly impacted by such syncretism since Indians were already extremely religious. If Syncretism had not taken place in India, Indians would still be as religious as they are at present because they were unwilling to change their belief systems in light of influence from the Westerners. Another significant element of cultural syncretism in India is the lack of desire to work. Currently, the average income of Indian workers is extremely low compared to that of Americans and Chinese. This amount is so low that children are often forced to work. Modernization and trade are continually increasing in India. For instance, the US-India bilateral trade is a lucrative industry (Greenfield, 2001). India exports cotton, aircraft parts, computer hardware and machinery to the US. If cultural syncretism had not occurred, India and America would not be involved in mutually beneficial trade, which would consequently harm India’s overall wellbeing. Conclusion It is evident that cultural syncretism plays a pivotal role in the society, influencing various aspects such as political, social and religious elements of the society. Without the incidence of cultural syncretism, it would be nearly impossible for the society to run effectively because of its vast diversity (Greenfield, 2001). This paper demonstrates the significance of cultural syncretism, particularly in modern life. References Bentley, J. (1993). Old world encounters: Cross-cultural contacts and exchanges in pre-modern times. New York: Oxford University Press. Claus, P. J., & Mills, M. A. (2003). South Asian folklore: An encyclopedia. New York: Garland Publishing, Incorporation. Greenfield, S. (2001). Reinventing religions: Syncretism and transformation in Africa and the Americas. Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield. Sayre, H. M. (2013). Discovering the humanities (2nd .ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Incorporation. Stewart, C., & Rosalind, S. (1994). Syncretism/anti-syncretism: The politics of religious synthesis. New York: Rutledge Publishers. Read More